Rugby League: Lowe swells ranks of Great Britain's chiefs

Whatever deficiencies might yet be exposed among the infantry, Great Britain will go into their series against Australia next month with no shortage of generals. Already blessed with three coaches and a technical director, the national squad yesterday acquired a team manager, with the reappointment of Phil Lowe to the role he filled on tour last year.

The former Test forward managed the Lions on their difficult trip to Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand and was thought to have handed in his notice when he was critical of the League's decision to send home 10 players as a cost-cutting measure. Yet Lowe's stance meant that he retained the respect of the players, so he is a sensible choice to head the management team for a demanding series.

That team already includes a head coach in Andy Goodway, with back-up from Shaun McRae and Daryl Powell, with the technical director, Joe Lydon, overseeing the preparations for the series rather than take on the team manager's role.